Gender violence persists, clearly demonstrated by ongoing court activity and the steady stream of cases that reach authorities. In Vigo, the Court of Violence Against Women maintains a relentless pace, with daily proceedings and statistics showing consistent intake through 2022. In recent weeks, police sources have noted a noticeable backlash. Between Wednesday and Thursday morning, the National Police arrested five individuals in the city on suspected abuse charges. Among these cases, the most serious involved a man who attempted to strike his former partner with a vehicle, an attack that may also have involved one or more relatives accompanying the victim. The incident was logged at the police station as attempted murder. The Vigo Family and Women’s Care Unit, UFAM, which investigates such incidents, reported the case to UFAM headquarters in Madrid in line with the protocol that requires reporting. UFAM oversees the investigation of serious crimes within this specialized unit.
Details about this attempted attack were scarce from official National Police sources, who have a policy of not reporting gender-based violence cases promptly. Other sources indicated the incident occurred in Zamáns the previous morning. The victim reportedly was not injured, though there was property damage to a residence. According to the Galician Superior Court of Justice, estimates suggest the arrestee will appear in court on Friday.
The case was officially reported to Madrid, UFAM headquarters, which coordinates responses under the established protocol. This protocol includes the handling of murders and attempted murders linked to gender-based violence and other serious offenses committed in or around domestic settings. It also covers situations involving vulnerable victims, serial offenders, parent abductions, and specific disappearances of minors. The framework aims to identify risks to life or physical integrity and to address medical needs or disabilities affecting children or adolescents involved in such cases.
Alarm
The rise in gender-based violence cases in Vigo has raised alarms alongside reports of increasing homicides in various parts of Spain. Yet, as of 2023, the city of Vigo has not recorded similar crimes in the immediate past years. Authorities and observers note a pattern where young couples who spend little time together or long-married partners facing escalating physical and psychological abuse choose to report the situation and seek help more readily. This trend underscores the ongoing need for vigilance, support networks, and effective justice responses to protect vulnerable individuals across the region. [Source: Local police and judicial communications; UFAM reports; public safety briefings]